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There have been a lot of questions surrounding the Michigan football program this offseason. It all starts with Jim Harbaugh and his contract extension, but we’re starting to get answers on that front.
But then, if Harbaugh is returning to Ann Arbor, who will be the Wolverines next defensive coordinator?
Don Brown, who led the charge with that unit since 2016, was shown the door in December and subsequently ended up reuniting with Jedd Fisch in Arizona. Derek Mason, the former Vanderbilt head coach and a former Harbaugh assistant is off the board as he’s heading to Auburn, so who’s next?
According to Matt Zenitz of AL.com, Michigan will potentially dip into the NFL ranks to fill its defensive coordinator vacancy.
Sources: Michigan is targeting Ravens linebackers coach Mike Macdonald for its defensive coordinator job.
Currently working with John Harbaugh. May soon be working with his brother.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 8, 2021
Here’s more on MacDonald from the Baltimore Ravens site:
MIKE MACDONALD enters his third season as the team’s linebackers coach. Now in his seventh year with the Ravens, Macdonald previously spent time as the team’s defensive backs coach (2017) and as a defensive assistant (2015-16). In 2019, the Ravens upheld their strong defensive tradition, allowing the NFL’s third-fewest points (17.6) and fourth-fewest net yards (300.6) per game. Baltimore also ranked fifth against the run (93.4 ypg) and No. 6 vs. the pass (207.2 ypg) last season, en route to a franchise-best 14-2 record and second-straight AFC North division title. In 2018, the Ravens produced the NFL’s No. 1 defense, allowing 292.9 yards per game. Baltimore also permitted the league’s second-fewest points per game (17.9), en route to standout LB C.J. Mosley earning his fourth-career Pro Bowl nod. In 2017, alongside secondary coach Chris Hewitt, Macdonald helped guide a defensive backfield that contributed to the NFL’s most INTs (22) and forced turnovers (34). In 2016, Macdonald worked with then-secondary coach and current Bills’ defensive coordinator/assistant head coach Leslie Frazier, helping guide a unit that finished seventh overall (322.1 ypg) and produced a league-leading (tied, KC & SD) 18 INTs. During the 2015 campaign, Macdonald worked closely with defensive coordinator (then-inside linebackers coach) Don Martindale.
MacDonald is a Georgia alumnus — though he didn’t play football — so he would at least have familiarity with the SEC. However, as someone with no recruiting experience, that would be something of an uphill battle.
As a college graduate in 2010, he is quite young, so perhaps he could connect better with the players he would be mentoring.